Derry manager Brian McIver believes any controversy in Donegal will only make them a more formidable force in Sunday's Ulster SFC clash at Celtic Park.

McIver managed Donegal to a Division One League title in 2007 before an acrimonious departure but he does not expect the surprise exit of Mark McHugh from the Donegal squad to have any bearing on their performance.

“Whatever happened there is completely irrelevant from our point of view,” he said.

“The last time there was controversy in Donegal over Kevin Cassidy’s omission from the panel, they turned around and won the All-Ireland (in 2012) so I would pay little attention to that.

“I don’t know what exactly went on.

“It has no bearing whatsoever on or preparations and I know it will have absolutely no impact on Donegal’s preparations. Believe me, come two o' clock on Sunday this will be one ding-dong battle.”

Donegal manager Jim McGuinness speaks to his players

There are doubts over Donegal for the first time under Jim McGuinness' four-year reign, especially on the back of their poor display against Monaghan in the Division Two League final.

“They are well-established, they have been working on a pattern of play now for the last two or three years and they know exactly what they are doing.

“Not taking anything away from Monaghan, but Donegal had just returned from a heavy week’s training and I know myself that if you are doing heavy training and you are trying to play matches at the same time, it is not easy to do.

“As I would read it, Donegal had met their objectives, they had got themselves promoted and their preparations after that was geared for ourselves.

“It (League final) will have no impact whatsoever on Donegal or their preparations.”

Derry were hammered by Dublin in the division one decider on the same day but McIver has moved on from that debacle, pointing out that nine of his players were facing Dublin in Croke Park for the first time.

“Donegal lost the Division Two final, we lost the Division One final; neither of those two results will have any bearing come two o' clock on Sunday.”